This month is National Family Violence Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the warning signs of unhealthy or abusive relationships.

Family violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Recognizing the early signs can be critical in helping yourself or supporting someone you know.

The RCMP is sharing key information to help residents identify unhealthy relationship dynamics and know where to turn for support:

• Monitoring or restricting a partner’s movements, social life, or communications can indicate controlling behaviour. Examples include frequent check-ins, demands to see messages, or isolating someone from friends and family.
  
• Extreme jealousy, often disguised as care or protection, may point to deeper issues. This might involve accusations of infidelity, constant monitoring, or discomfort when the partner socializes independently.
  
• Regular criticism, belittling, or manipulation can erode a partner’s confidence and self-worth. Emotional abuse may include name-calling, humiliation, or making someone feel helpless.
  
• Threats—whether of abandonment, self-harm, or violence—are used to instil fear and maintain control.
  
• Any act of physical aggression is a clear and serious warning sign. Even if violence occurs only once, it often escalates over time.
  
• Controlling access to money or financial resources can trap someone in an unsafe situation. Financial abuse includes taking a partner’s income, limiting funds, or coercing them into debt.
  
• Sudden or unpredictable changes in behaviour, particularly anger or hostility, can create an unsafe and unstable environment.

If you recognize any of these warning signs, there are steps you can take to protect yourself or someone you care about:

• Develop a safety plan with the help of trusted friends, family, or a domestic violence counselor. Identify safe places to go and gather essential items such as ID and important records.
  
• Reach out to local shelters, crisis hotlines, or community organizations. Police can also connect you with these supports and crisis counselors.
  
• If abuse crosses into criminal behaviour, law enforcement can assist with restraining or no-contact orders. Many RCMP detachments have officers trained to respond to domestic violence cases with care and confidentiality.
  
• Keep a record of incidents, including photos, messages, and notes. This documentation can be valuable if you choose to take legal action.
  
• Take precautions with technology if you suspect monitoring or stalking. Adjust privacy settings, avoid sharing your location, and use secure devices whenever possible.
  
• If you ever feel unsafe, call the police. Officers can perform welfare checks, intervene immediately, and provide protection.
  
• Stay connected with people you trust. Abusers often isolate victims to maintain control, but reaching out for support is a critical step toward safety.

For more information and tips, follow RCMP in Alberta on Facebook (@RCMPinAlberta).